434 Light on Yoga2 5. As a careful mother teaches her child to walk carefree, so the care
ful mind of the yogi teaches the senses to be carefree. By continued
practice of pra�ayama the senses become free of obsession for the
things they once pined for.- Each should measure his own capacity when doing pranayama • and
not exceed it. This may be gauged as follows: suppose one can with
comfort inhale and exhale for 10 seconds each in rhythmic cycles for a
given length of time, say^5 minutes. If there is any change in the
rhythm in which the period of inhalation or of exhalation decreases, to
say 7 or 8 seconds, one has reached one's capacity. To go beyond. this
point, strains the lungs unduly and brings in its wake a host of respira
tory diseases. - Faulty practice puts undue stress on the lungs and diaphragm. The
respiratory system suffers and the nervous system is adversely affected.
The very foundation of a healthy body and a sound mind is shaken by
faulty practice of pra�ayama. Forceful and strained inhalation or exhala
tion is wrong, except in Bhastrika Pra�ayama. - Evenness of breathing leads to healthy nerves and so to evenness of
mind and temper. - Asanas should never be practised immediately after pra�ayama. If
pr�ayama is done first, allow an hour to elapse before starting asanas,
for the nerves which are soothed in pr�ayama are liable to be ruffled
by the bodily movement of the asanas. - Pra�ayama, however, may be done not less than 15 minutes after
mild practice of asanas. - Strenuous asanas cause fatigue. When exhausted do not practise
pr�ayama in any sitting posture, as the back cannot stay erect, the body
trembles and the mind becomes disturbed. Deep breathing as in Ujjayi
done in a reclining position relieves fatigue. - When deep, steady and long breathing cannot be maintained
rhythmically, stop. Do not proceed further. The rhythm should be
gauged from the nasal sound produced in inhalation ('ssssssa' which
sounds like a leak in a cycle tube) and exhalation (the aspirate
'huuuuuuuuum' sound). If the volume of the sound is reduced, stop.
33· Try to achieve an even ratio in inhalation (puraka) and exhalation
(rechaka). For example, if one is for 5 seconds during a given continuous
cycle, the other should be for the same time.
34· The Ujjayi and Na<;li Sodhana types of pra�ayama are the most